News

On 11 September 2025, the European Parliament adopted an own-initiative report on the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), led by Carmen Crespo Díaz (EPP, ES). The report, passed with 393 votes in favour, calls for a dedicated, sufficiently large CAP budget, separate from cohesion policy and national funds, and to be increased annually with inflation. It recommends reinforcing the rural development pillar while keeping it distinct from cohesion policy, continuing direct payments for active farmers, and supporting young farmers through financial aid, tax relief, and credit access. The report urges simplified rules, reduced administrative burden, modernised inspections with satellite data, and investments into water infrastructure and biomass. Parliament restates support for generational renewal but the report is non-binding. Amendments relating to Mercosur, Ukraine, and genomic techniques were not adopted.
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On 3 September 2025, representatives of EU Member States agreed on the Council's position regarding the European Commission's "Omnibus III" proposal, aimed at simplifying rules under the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Key features of the package include reduced administrative burdens, increased payments to small farmers, and adjustments to cross-compliance rules for organic farming. The proposals target annual savings of up to €1.6 billion for farmers and €200 million for administrations. The Council supports simplification of controls, fewer on-the-spot checks, scrapping of the annual performance review, and crisis payments for farmers hit by disasters. Further measures allow greater flexibility for Member States in organic standards, expanded use of risk management tools, and higher advance payments during crises. The Council will begin negotiations with the European Parliament after it adopts its mandate later this year.
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On 3 September 2025, the European Commission finalised the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposal for 2028-2034 with adoption of seven sectoral legislative proposals. These measures supplement the initial framework presented in July and address areas such as the internal market, customs, justice, nuclear research, security, overseas territories, and euro protection. Key allocations include €6.2 billion for the Internal Market and Customs Union programme, €800 million for justice, €6.7 billion for Euratom through 2032 (with major funding for the ITER fusion energy project), and nearly €1 billion each for nuclear safety and support to overseas territories like Greenland. Further highlights are the continuation of the Pericles V euro anti-counterfeiting programme and new nuclear decommissioning tools. The full MFF proposal counts nearly €2 trillion, around 1.26% of EU GNI. Member State unanimity and European Parliament consent are required for final approval.
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On 31 August 2025, Herbert Dorfmann (IT, EPP), Agriculture Coordinator of the European Parliament’s largest group, called the European Commission’s proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) a disaster for EU agriculture. He said the plan makes farmers repay debts from the NextGenerationEU instrument, despite agriculture being labelled strategic, and lacks coherence and parliamentary backing. While noting interesting elements in the draft CAP legislation, he criticised its superficial preparation, since the overall budget and CAP package were presented simultaneously. Agriculture and Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen countered that a smaller overall EU budget does not necessarily mean less support for farmers. Dorfmann warned that with less money, Member States would be forced to choose between environmental measures, support for young farmers, and coupled production support; together with external convergence and an expansion of eligible land, this could lower per-hectare payments to €100–130 per year and deter participation in the CAP. He supports capping aid for large farms but called it a limited tool, as Europe has relatively few very large holdings, so major savings are unlikely. The European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (COMAGRI) is expected to begin examining the proposal in September 2025.

European agriculture ministers will meet at an informal AGRIFISH Council in Copenhagen on 7 September 2025 to discuss the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), innovation, and the green transition. A four-page Danish Presidency paper, “Improving competitiveness and accelerating the green transformation of the EU agri-food sector,” says geopolitical pressures, climate change, and rural demographic challenges are eroding competitiveness and blocking generational renewal. It argues the EU must raise competitiveness while accelerating the green transition without lowering high standards on food safety and environmental protection, starting by simplifying the legal framework and reducing administrative burdens. The CAP should remain a strong common basis and adapt to current challenges, with the transition built in partnership with farmers who are properly motivated and rewarded for ecosystem services. The Commission has moved in this direction with its CAP simplification package adopted on 14 May 2025 and its July 2025 proposal on CAP reform and the next Multiannual Financial Framework. The paper highlights bio-technological solutions to cut the sector’s environmental footprint without reducing production capacity or competitiveness and calls for a regulatory environment that speeds market uptake. Ministers will consider how to support innovation and investment amid growing global demand for food and protein and what legal changes are needed to improve farmers’ access to tools that help meet green transition goals. The agenda also includes visits to companies and farms around Copenhagen and meetings with agricultural organisations and environmental NGOs.